Sri Lanka's first-class matches postponed

Sri Lanka's domestic first-class Premier Tier A and B league matches, which were to begin on Wednesday, have been indefinitely postponed. This is the latest twist to the troubles afflicting Sri Lankan cricket, and the clubs and national board have offered conflicting reasons for the postponement.

SLC's head of cricket operations, Ashley de Silva, told ESPNcricinfo that the clubs requested a postponement on the grounds that there would be "too much cricket following the end of the Premier limited-overs tournament". The tournament, he said, would be rescheduled only after the elections on January 3, when a new tournament committee would be appointed.

On the other hand, the clubs handed over a signed statement of their problems and demands to Udaya Seneviratne, the authority appointed by the Minister of Sports to administer the SLC until elections are held. The four services teams were exempted from signing the petition.

Club co-ordinator Ranjan Paranavitana said that the clubs were protesting against outstanding payments and the ad hoc manner in which the matches have been scheduled.

"We have to play a [three-day] match every three days and this is not feasible," Paranavitana said. "A lot of players face problems taking leave from work, and the players also risk burnout and injuries with no proper break between matches."

The clubs were paid 30% of their dues for the Premier limited-overs tournament which concluded on Saturday, and have said that unless at least 60% of the balance is paid, they would find it difficult to play the first-class matches.

The SLC pays 2.7 million Sri Lankan rupees to each of the 11 Tier A clubs and 2.3 million to each of the 10 Tier B clubs per season. The clubs utilise this money to pay the players, ground fees, fund practice sessions and food, among other things.

I think this is a good decision by the SLCB. Because the domestic limited overs tournament just finished three or four days ago and all the players deserve a rest before the four day matches start. And also it will be good if they start it after the elections. Hopefully there will be new guys in the SLCB who will want to do it successfully.

Denham
on December 22, 2011, 3:32 GMT

For as long as politicians interfere in SLC affairs, this mess will never be cleared. People who are responsible for the present state at the SLC is at large and the so called sports ministry is doing jack about it. The problem is the people responsible are apointees of the politicians so they can walk scot free. I am teribly disturbed about this and I hope come January 3rd 2012, SLC will get back on it's feet and work towards the betterment of it. All we got to do is play the waiting game and watch.

Sammy
on December 22, 2011, 1:26 GMT

The portly Ranatunga always has something to say about BCCI/IPL. Strangely, he is very quiet when it comes to the incompetence of his country's board!! HAHA..

Javed
on December 22, 2011, 0:11 GMT

What a shocker. SL cricket is a complete mess. Somthing that never has happened to any cricketing country ever before

Michael
on December 21, 2011, 18:11 GMT

Is Ranjan Paranavitana in any way related to Tharanga Paranavitana?

Prateek
on December 21, 2011, 17:30 GMT

Is Sri Lanka slowly going the Zimbabwe way after political turmoil started there? Hopefully not, and after SLC elections things will be brought under control.

Dummy4
on December 21, 2011, 16:10 GMT

Good decision , plus it's raining heavily in SL atm , & it will remains the same until the end of Dec !

manjula
on December 21, 2011, 16:03 GMT

I think SLC should ground zero (with out money) at least for 2 years. Then those who are in for money will go away doing best for cricket in SL.

Parthiban
on December 21, 2011, 14:34 GMT

It's an unholy mess, isn't it. The Brits should've never left Sri lanka.

Dummy4
on December 22, 2011, 6:40 GMT

I think this is a good decision by the SLCB. Because the domestic limited overs tournament just finished three or four days ago and all the players deserve a rest before the four day matches start. And also it will be good if they start it after the elections. Hopefully there will be new guys in the SLCB who will want to do it successfully.

Denham
on December 22, 2011, 3:32 GMT

For as long as politicians interfere in SLC affairs, this mess will never be cleared. People who are responsible for the present state at the SLC is at large and the so called sports ministry is doing jack about it. The problem is the people responsible are apointees of the politicians so they can walk scot free. I am teribly disturbed about this and I hope come January 3rd 2012, SLC will get back on it's feet and work towards the betterment of it. All we got to do is play the waiting game and watch.

Sammy
on December 22, 2011, 1:26 GMT

The portly Ranatunga always has something to say about BCCI/IPL. Strangely, he is very quiet when it comes to the incompetence of his country's board!! HAHA..

Javed
on December 22, 2011, 0:11 GMT

What a shocker. SL cricket is a complete mess. Somthing that never has happened to any cricketing country ever before

Michael
on December 21, 2011, 18:11 GMT

Is Ranjan Paranavitana in any way related to Tharanga Paranavitana?

Prateek
on December 21, 2011, 17:30 GMT

Is Sri Lanka slowly going the Zimbabwe way after political turmoil started there? Hopefully not, and after SLC elections things will be brought under control.

Dummy4
on December 21, 2011, 16:10 GMT

Good decision , plus it's raining heavily in SL atm , & it will remains the same until the end of Dec !

manjula
on December 21, 2011, 16:03 GMT

I think SLC should ground zero (with out money) at least for 2 years. Then those who are in for money will go away doing best for cricket in SL.

Parthiban
on December 21, 2011, 14:34 GMT

It's an unholy mess, isn't it. The Brits should've never left Sri lanka.

No featured comments at the moment.

Parthiban
on December 21, 2011, 14:34 GMT

It's an unholy mess, isn't it. The Brits should've never left Sri lanka.

manjula
on December 21, 2011, 16:03 GMT

I think SLC should ground zero (with out money) at least for 2 years. Then those who are in for money will go away doing best for cricket in SL.

Dummy4
on December 21, 2011, 16:10 GMT

Good decision , plus it's raining heavily in SL atm , & it will remains the same until the end of Dec !

Prateek
on December 21, 2011, 17:30 GMT

Is Sri Lanka slowly going the Zimbabwe way after political turmoil started there? Hopefully not, and after SLC elections things will be brought under control.

Michael
on December 21, 2011, 18:11 GMT

Is Ranjan Paranavitana in any way related to Tharanga Paranavitana?

Javed
on December 22, 2011, 0:11 GMT

What a shocker. SL cricket is a complete mess. Somthing that never has happened to any cricketing country ever before

Sammy
on December 22, 2011, 1:26 GMT

The portly Ranatunga always has something to say about BCCI/IPL. Strangely, he is very quiet when it comes to the incompetence of his country's board!! HAHA..

Denham
on December 22, 2011, 3:32 GMT

For as long as politicians interfere in SLC affairs, this mess will never be cleared. People who are responsible for the present state at the SLC is at large and the so called sports ministry is doing jack about it. The problem is the people responsible are apointees of the politicians so they can walk scot free. I am teribly disturbed about this and I hope come January 3rd 2012, SLC will get back on it's feet and work towards the betterment of it. All we got to do is play the waiting game and watch.

Dummy4
on December 22, 2011, 6:40 GMT

I think this is a good decision by the SLCB. Because the domestic limited overs tournament just finished three or four days ago and all the players deserve a rest before the four day matches start. And also it will be good if they start it after the elections. Hopefully there will be new guys in the SLCB who will want to do it successfully.

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